Community / New group formed to build footpaths in Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale
A NEW group has been created to build foot and cycle paths in Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale.
The charity, called Win Furt, has been set up by a group of local people to take forward ideas that came out of a survey organised by the community council a year ago.
A leaflet is being delivered to every household in the area inviting them to two drop-in sessions that are being held at the Whiteness and Tingwall halls over the next two weekends.
Whiteness resident Andrew Archer, who is currently chairing the group, said: “When the community council carried out its survey asking what would improve life in Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale, the overwhelming response was safer walking and safer cycling.
“Because of the way that community councils are set up, they can’t run projects like that themselves, so we are delighted that a group of local people have created Win Furt to take this forward.”
The plan would be to fund any potential paths from a “variety of sources”, including community benefit money from the Viking Energy wind farm and active travel schemes.
Archer explained though that Win Furt is not just about footpaths, adding that it aims to get the community involved in all sorts of activities that would get people outside.
“At the smaller end that might be things like bulb or tree planting or it might be bigger things such as a project to build a playpark,” he said.
“We would love people to come to one of the sessions at the halls to find out more, give us their ideas and get involved.
“The sessions run between 9am and 12pm so just pop in when it suits you and have a chat with us.”
The two drop-in sessions are at Tingwall Hall on Saturday 21 January from 9am-12pm and the Whiteness Hall on 28 January, also from 9am to 12pm.
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A future step in the process is to carry out an assessment of the possible routes.
This is planned for Tingwall and Weisdale in the first quarter of 2023.
At the end of this process, the charity should have a list of options that can be put to the community for them to decide which ones happen first.
Its aim is to start with one project on the Tingwall side and one on the Whiteness and Weisdale side.
More information can be found on the Win Furt website and Facebook page.
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